ORIGINAL PAPER
Performance, fatty acids digestibility, carcass and
muscle composition of pigs fed diets enriched with
vitamin E and differing in their MUFA/PUFA ratio
| 1 |
Department of Animal Production,
Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University,
28040 Madrid, Spain |
| 2 |
Department of Animal Production, Agronomists Technical University,
28040 Madrid, Spain |
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2004;13(3):429–443
Publication date: 2004-06-16
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation (20 vs 200 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg) and
different MUFA/PUFA ratio on pig performance, digestibility of fatty acids, and carcass and muscle
chemical composition was studied. The feed containing higher concentration of C18:2 led to a more
(P<0.01) efficient feed utilization (FCR) in boars and gilts. An effect (P<0.05) of dietary fat on C16:1,
C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 apparent digestibility was found. Apparent digestibility of C16:1 and saturated fatty acids was lower at higher vitamin E supplementation, indicating a possible competition
for absorption. The partial substitution of dietary PUFA by MUFA produced a higher proportion of
intramuscular fat (P=0.04), and a decrease in total fatty acid apparent digestibility only in the case
that a basal level of vitamin E was added to the diet.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
A. I. Rey 
Department of Animal Production,
Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University,
28040 Madrid, Spain
